TENTATIVE MINUTES

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND

Tuesday, October 24, 2000

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, met in open session at 5:13 p.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Mr. H. J. Jack Barnhart, Ms. Erica A. Cohn, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Mr. John A. Hayden, III, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael P. Kennedy, Ms. Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Mr. James R. Sasiadek, and Mr. James E. Walker. In addition, Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Schools, was present.

Mr. Barnhart immediately moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss personnel matters and to consult with counsel pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, Section 10-508(a)(1) and (a)(7). The motion was seconded by Mr. Walker and unanimously approved by the Board.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

The Board discussed the resignations on tonight's agenda.

Ms. Johns reviewed an appointment and a transfer on tonight's agenda.

Mr. Haines discussed a matter dealing with potential litigation with Board members.

At 6:40 p.m., Mr. Barnhart moved to end the closed session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cohn and approved by the Board.

OPEN SESSION MINUTES

Board members decided to hold a work session on Wednesday, November 1, 2000, 7:00 p.m., to discuss the systemic renovation program.

At 6:43 p.m., Ms. Ettinger moved that the Board end the open session for a brief dinner recess. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kennedy and approved by the Board.

OPEN SESSION MINUTES

The Board of Education of Baltimore County, Maryland, reconvened in open session at 7:40 p.m. at Greenwood. President Donald L. Arnold and the following Board members were present: Mr. H. J. Jack Barnhart, Ms. Erica A. Cohn, Ms. Phyllis E. Ettinger, Mr. John A. Hayden, III, Ms. Jean M. H. Jung, Mr. Michael P. Kennedy, Ms. Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Mr. James R. Sasiadek, and Mr. James E. Walker. In addition, Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Schools; staff members; members of various civic, employee, and community organizations were present as was the press.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The open session commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, which was led by Dr. Charles Maloney, and a period of silent meditation for those who have served education in the Baltimore County Public Schools.

MINUTES

Hearing no additions or corrections to the Report of the Capital Budget Work Session, September 26, 2000, and the open and closed session minutes of October 10, 2000, Mr. Arnold declared the minutes approved as presented.

Mr. Arnold informed the audience of the various sessions in which Board members had participated earlier that afternoon.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Dr. Hairston thanked the public for its input at the recent pre-budget meetings.

He noted that at the recent Excellence for Minority Achievement Dinner, sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education, two individuals from Baltimore County, Mike Salisbury and Board member Carolyn Ross-Holmes, received awards.

Dr. Hairston noted the visit to Eastern Technical High School by correspondents from National Public Radio.

REPORT

The Board received the following report:

Technology Update&emdash;Ms. Johns reviewed the various phases of our technology implementation that was presented to Board members last month. She indicated the purpose of tonight's presentation was to update the Board on Phase I.

Mr. Barlow reviewed the current computer deployment status noting that approximately 3,000 PCs have been deployed in 54 schools. Printers are also being installed. He stated we are in the process of identifying cabling and power problems in the schools, and we are working with Facilities to address these problems. With regard to training, 80 PCs have been shipped to us for our training labs.

Mr. Arnold inquired as to how it's determined which schools receive computers. Mr. Barlow responded those schools that are furthest from meeting the 5:1 ratio received computers first.

Ms. Marchione introduced Mr. Mike Mooney and Ms. Sylvia Maynard Smith from DataNetworks. She noted the training plan has been developed in stages. Stage I is face-to-face training and generic in nature. The second stage will deal with operations and application. Stage III will involve on-site visits involving individualized training made by BCPS staff in coordination with the staff at DataNetworks. Stage IV is the on-going technical assistance. The first groups to be trained are technical liaisons and the Help Desk staff. Ms. Marchione noted there will be extensive training opportunities for teachers, and there will be some substitute funding for teacher training.

Mr. Hayden noted the 8,000+ people to be trained. Ms. Marchione stated that our training capacity at the Professional Development Center is 120 people per day. Ms. Cohn inquired as to how the determination is made to which schools receive training first. Ms. Marchione stated training is based on need as well as the schools that have received computers.

Mr. Rust spoke about the Technology in Maryland Schools Grants (TIMS), which is sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education, and instructional software initiatives. He noted a Software Exposition to be held next spring which will involve curricular offices.

Mr. Clarence Stukes of the Division of Physical Facilities noted there are 110 schools that may not have any electrical issues associated with the computer deployment, and there are 54 schools where there are identified electrical issues that need to be addressed. He stated that the 3D/I project would address electrical issues in some of the 54 schools. The 3D/I project will address electrical concerns in many of these schools by August 30, 2001. The remaining identified schools with electrical issues could be addressed by April 30, 2001.

Dr. Mohler noted the enthusiasm of staffs at two schools that had recently received the bulk of their computers. He noted that the teachers realize there will be challenges ahead, but that they are very enthusiastic about the instructional possibilities.

 

PERSONNEL MATTERS

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved the personnel matters as presented on Exhibits B, C, D, E, and F. (Copies of the exhibits are attached to the formal minutes.)

CONTRACT AWARDS

Mr. Kennedy pulled item 2 for further discussion. On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Walker, the Board approved items 1, 3-6.

1. Automotive Supplies and Materials (Extension)

3. Custodial Floor Care Products

4. Telephone Maintenance and Supplies (Extension)

5. Tractor and Attachments

6. Contracted Services: Organization Study

Item 2

Mr. Kennedy reiterated his request that an analysis be undertaken with regard to copy equipment in the schools. Ms. Churchill noted that such a study has been done and that information is being compiled and will be presented to the Superintendent for his review and recommendations. She also noted that this is an issue with fiscal implications.

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Ms. Ettinger, the Board approved a contract award for copier equipment.

LEASED SPACE AT TIMONIUM OFFICE PARK

On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Board approved a five-year lease for additional office space at Timonium Office Park.

ARBUTUS BUS LOT LEASE

On motion of Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Kennedy, the Board approved a ten-year lease for the Arbutus bus lot in the amount of $7,400 monthly.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

The Building Committee, represented by Mr. Barnhart, recommended approval of items 2-8 and 10 and 11. (Items 1 and 9 were deferred.) Mr. Hayden pulled items 2, 3, 5, and 6. The Board approved items 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11.

4. Furnish and Install Windows &endash; Eight Elementary Schools

 

7. Fee Acceptance &endash; Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Subdivision of Open Spaces and Science Laboratory Renovations &endash; Chesapeake High School

8. Fee Acceptance &endash; Design of Science Room Renovations &endash; Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Sollers Point/Southeastern Technical High, and Sparrows Point High Schools

10. Change Order &endash; Systemic Renovations &endash; Oakleigh Elementary School

11. Change Order &endash; Systemic Renovations &endash; Pikesville High School

As recommended by the Building Committee, the Board approved items 2, 3, 5, and 6. Mr. Hayden abstained from discussion and voting on these items.

2. Major Maintenance Renovations &endash; Pleasant Plains Elementary School

3. Science Classroom Renovations &endash; Lansdowne High School

5. Furnish Boilers &endash; Twelve Elementary Schools

6. Fee Acceptance &endash; Consultant Design Services &endash; Elmwood Elementary School

INFORMATION

The Board received the following as information:

Minutes of the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council meeting, June 6, 2000.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Arnold made the following announcements:

-- On Wednesday, October 25, 2000, the Northeast Area Educational Advisory Council will hold its pre-budget meeting at Eastern Technical High School at 7:00 p.m.

-- On Monday, October 30, 2000, the Board will conduct a work session on Title 1

at 7:00 p.m. at Greenwood.

-- On Wednesday, November 1, 2000, the Board will conduct a work session on the systemic renovation program at 7:00 p.m. at Greenwood.

-- The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be held on Monday, November 6, 2000, at Greenwood. The meeting will begin with an open session at 4:30 p.m. After the Board adjourns to meet in closed session, followed by a brief dinner recess, the open meeting will reconvene at approximately 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome at all open sessions.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Meghan Kotula, President of the Baltimore County Student Councils, shared the results of discussion by breakout groups from a recent General Assembly meeting. Students are opposed to an after Labor Day start to school. With respect to dress code, the students felt administrators were not enforcing the dress code and that some students are wearing inappropriate clothing. Students felt switching school start times was good in theory, but did not know how it would work logistically, citing problems with siblings, jobs, sports, etc. With regard to technology, the students enthusiastically supported the infusion of PCs in the schools and requested on-going teacher training. Finally, students attending the General Assembly meeting were given Safe School Pledges to take back to their schools. By signing the pledge, students take a stand against violence.

Ms. Meg O'Hare, Chair of the Northeast Area Educational Advisory Council, noted that the advisory council officers have requested postponement of their dinner with the Board in November due to the absence of several officers and the need for additional time to meet with the Board. She also spoke about a recent meeting held by the Northeast Area Office. Items discussed that evening were the "Blueprint for Progress," a tutorial on Lesson Study, quantum learning, and a presentation regarding the importance of mathematics. As a result of this meeting, a concern about the shortage of special education teachers was noted by Ms. O'Hare. Finally, Ms. O'Hare reminded Board members of the Northeast Area Pre-Budget meeting the following evening.

Mr. Stephen Crum, a representative of the Southeast Area Educational Advisory Council, summarized the concerns of the speakers at their recent pre-budget meeting.

Ms. Vickie Schultz-Unger, a representative of the Central Area Educational Advisory Council, reported on activities of the Council. She noted the anticipated attendance of the Deputy Superintendent at the November meeting. Ms. Schultz-Unger thanked the Board members who attended the recent pre-budget meeting and noted there were about 50 speakers. She also noted several vacancies on the Council. Board members were asked to encourage members of the public to step forward to serve on the Central Area Educational Advisory Council.

Ms. Laura Nossel, President of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, thanked Board members and system personnel for attending the Fall Workshop. She commended Dr. Mohler's office for hosting a recent meeting and urged other Area Offices to conduct similar meetings. With regard to the technology plan, Ms. Nossel inquired about a letter to be sent home to parents. (Ms. Norman responded that the letter had been sent via email to principals encouraging them to include it in their school newsletter.) Ms. Nossel noted that the recommendations presented by the PTA Council a few weeks ago were formulated in the spirit of making the school system the best in the state. There was no malicious intent nor were the recommendations made as a criticism. PTA Council wants our system to be efficient and effective and want all stakeholders to have representation. Ms. Nossel expressed a desire to continue the dialogue on this issue.

Mr. Rodger Janssen shared his concern about a recent incident at Perry Hall High School and the fact no one took the incident seriously, at first. He stated his concerns about the placement of SROs in the schools have been heightened. Mr. Janssen also spoke about his support of a collective bargaining bill.

Mr. Larry Doan, a Carroll Manor Elementary School parent, reiterated concerns expressed at the Central Area pre-budget meeting. He asked the Board to include in next year's budget additional funding to reduce class size. Mr. Doan stated research shows smaller class size benefits all students.

Ms. Donya Douglas, a PTA representative from Hernwood Elementary School, thanked

Dr. Hairston, Ms. Johns, the Northwest Area Office, and the principal of Hernwood for the additional portable classroom. She thanked Ms. Ettinger, Ms. Ross-Holmes, Mr. Walker, Mr. Kennedy, and Dr. Hayman for their advocacy of a new building for Randallstown Elementary School. She cited several flaws of the Randallstown renovation:

1. The proposed renovation plan is deficient by 9,000 square feet.

2. No additional classroom space is provided for in the plan.

3. The gymnasium will still be half the size as deemed as a requirement in the educational specifications.

4. Programs such Reach for Reading, Gifted/Talented, etc., are conducted in hallways or closets.

5. Although the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning will be upgraded, only the new structure and the library will be air-conditioned.

Ms. Douglas stated that by proceeding with the renovation plan, we are telling Randallstown students we do not have their best interests at heart.

Mr. Ellis Barksdale, Chair of the Site-Based Steering Committee at Randallstown Elementary School, noted the cost of the proposed renovation/addition is approaching 70% of the cost of a new structure. He asked that additional funds be requested from the County Executive. Mr. Barksdale also asked the Board to consider a second floor addition to the new structure.

Ms. Jo Chadwick, Chair of the Citizens Committee for Gifted/Talented Education, informed the Board of the annual G/T Information Night on November 15. Gifted and Talented curriculum (K-12) will be discussed as well as parent advocacy. There will also be a panel discussion involving some teachers. Ms. Chadwick noted a future retreat where the Committee will re-evaluate some of its activities. Ms. Chadwick stated the annual spring College Fair, normally open to juniors, will be expanded to include sophomores.

At 9:40 p.m., Mr. Walker moved to adjourn the open session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cohn and approved by the Board.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________

Joe A. Hairston

Secretary-Treasurer

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